When I was asked a few months back at church if I wanted to join the UK/Ireland youth to join the Northern Germany youth in Hamburg I couldn’t say yes fast enough. The blind yes was said without thinking or even planning from my side but I was lucky because our youth leaders where doing the bookings and necessary preparations for the trip and all we the youth had to do was turn up.
Hamburg is a city I have only ever transit through on our way to Düsseldorf a couple of years back for another European youth service. If I was to say that after accepting the chance to visit Hamburg, I sat down and searched places which are a must see in Hamburg then I would be lying because this time instead of thinking about the tourist spots to visit I knew it was a church event and though sightseeing had been included in the program I went as a blank canvas and wanted to see whatever we would get the chance to see.
Our flight from London Heathrow terminal 5 was scheduled for after 3pm, we boarded the flight and arrived just after 6pm (Germany is an hour ahead). We quickly rushed to the train station at Hamburg Airport and headed for Hauptbahnof Stud where our hostel Generator was located, a mere minute from the station. Allocated our rooms, we met our new roommates for the weekend, freshened up and then made our way to Neustadt, Hamburg where we had a restaurant booking.
- From Hauptbahnof Stud use the underground U1 line to head to Neustadt a 5-10 minute train ride
After the meal we went back to the hostel, chilled a bit before we headed to Hamburg central to see and enjoy the night life in Hamburg. It wasn’t anything special so we headed to a nice cool bar, sat down and hard long chats before we went back to the hostel past midnight and called it a night.
Saturday came by and we were up by 7.30 for our breakfast and to start the program at 9am. After breakfast we took a train from Hauptbahnof Stud used the underground U1 line to Stephanplazt where the CCH (Congress Centre Hamburg) building is located next to the Raddison Blu hotel. After a couple hours stint at the CCH building with other church members we left and embarked on a walk to the Alter River where we spent the day on the river paddle boating.
Walking past Hafencity, we came across the side of Rathausmarkt the most central part of Hamburg in front of the city hall in the Old town. I wish we had more time to explore this part of Hamburg as this part is most common for hosting huge events but because it was too hot and we had walked aimlessly for over an hour, the heat was starting to take its toll.
We manage to stop by a number of places including a few shops where we picked up some essentials before we headed back to the hotel to cool down from the heat. When I say cool down I literally mean dunking into a pool of cold water to just bring back the body temperature to normal. It was an amazing weekend, so many amazing memories were made and I can not wait to meet up with the girls (& dude) again in July for our Dublin weekend getaway.
Have you ever been to Hamburg or Germany before?
What is your favourite place to visit?
Laura says
Shame the heat prevented you from exploring the Old Town but the rest of the trip looked amazing! !
Miranda says
Thanks Laura, it got unbearable but would love to go back and check out the old town
Adrienne says
Cool post. I definitely have Hamburg on my list! Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
Miranda says
You’re most welcome and hope you are able to go one day
Emily Underworld says
Wow that looks lovely, your photos are great! I’d love to visit Hamburg.
Miranda says
Thanks Emily
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
What a brilliant trip – looks like a great city and it’s always nice to visit places with great company 🙂
Miranda says
Absolutely, I think having company can make or break a trip
Jeni hawkins says
Hamburg sounds and LOOKS amazing! You are so fortunate to have gone! I’m definitely jealous!
Miranda says
It’s an amazing place and I feel honoured to have gone
Ali says
I’ve never been to Germany before but I would love to go. It sounds like you had a great time!
Miranda says
I did thanks and hope you get to go one day
Louise says
I’ve never been to Hamburg before (or Germany at all if I’m honest) but it’s somewhere I would really like to visit. It looks like you had a lovely time 🙂
Louise x
Miranda says
I did thanks Louise and I hope you get a chance too
Ana says
I wasn’t aware that Hamburg is such an amazing place for a weekend getaway! I loved the architecture of Rathausmarkt. Thanks for sharing about your trip with us!
Miranda says
I wasn’t either until I went it’s gorgeous
rika says
I have never been to Hamburg! It’s a beautiful city, can’t wait to visit
Miranda says
Hope you get a chance
Jessica says
I was planning to stay in Hamburg for six months, beginning October but plans changed so might just visit it for some days. Would love to see the port capital of Germany. Hehe
Miranda says
Aww bless but I hoe you manage to visit
Harriet from Toby & Roo says
Ahh all this travelling makes me jealous! I think it would be amazing to visit here – maybe when the kids are older. H x
Miranda says
Aww bless
Jasmine Watts says
Loving your pictures. I haven’t been to Hamburg but always wanted to travel this beautiful place.
Miranda says
Thanks Jasmine it’s more beautiful than the pictures
Jax2000 (Mummy's Little Monkey) says
I haven’t been to Hamburg yet, I took a day trip to Hitler’s hideaway in the Bavarian Alps years ago, and visited Berlin when I was pregnant with my eldest daughter. I’d love to see more of Germany! x
Miranda says
Oh wow I would live to visit the Bavarian Alps and Berlin too
Inspiring Kitchen says
What a wonderful weekend you had in Hamburg. Germany is definitely on my bucket list.
Miranda says
Thanks, lots of memories were made
Jeni says
It’s so beautiful! I’ve always wanted to travel to Hamburg. The paddle boarding sounds awesome.
Miranda says
It’s so gorgeous and I hope one day you get a chance to see it for yourself
Daytime Vegan says
What a beautiful place! I would have loved to paddle boat down the river!
Miranda says
It sure is and a must do in Hamburg
nicol says
beautiful weather there! i do like the look of hamburg. another place to ad to my to visit list
Miranda says
It was definitely the best weather ever
Louise says
This looks like so much fun! I’ve got to say, I’ve never considered somewhere like Hamburg for a weekend away but your post has made it look great so I might have to keep it in mind for my next break!
Miranda says
I never did either until an opportunity arose 😊
Fashion and Style Police says
Yes I have visited Germany before. 2 years ago. Loving your pictures.
Miranda says
How awesome and thanks
Lisa (Travel Loving Family) says
Looks like you had a fab time in Hamburg. Such a fab city
Miranda says
It is such a lovely city and thanks I had too much fun
Robin Ruehrwein says
I would love to have the chance to see this part of the world one day! Germany is definitely on my list.
Miranda says
And I hope it’s a chance you get to my dear
Milena says
Yes, I’ve been to Germany before when I spent sometime in Zurich I took a day trip! I wish it was longer. Someday I’ll go back!
Miranda says
I am yet to visit Zurich, wishing you the best.
emmabuzzybee says
I used to travel an awful lot when i was younger, seeing your post makes me think that I ought to try and venture out and about again:)
looks like you had great weather too!
Miranda says
Thanks, yes it was good weather and you should definitely venture out more
Charli says
I have never been to Hamburg but it looks absolutely beautiful and it sounds like you had such a lovely time xx
Miranda says
I did thank you
Bonnie @wemake7 says
I’ve never been to either place but would love to someday. That’s amazing you had that opportunity, so cool.
Miranda says
Thanks Bonnie it was a lovely opportunity
Bella says
I have never visited Hamburg, but would have jumped on it without thinking as well. The architecture is breath taking.
Miranda says
I know right, it so beautiful
Camilla Hawkins says
Paddle boarding sounds like great fun and I’m loving the architecture you snapped – great weekend!
Miranda says
It sure was fun, can’t wait to do it again
Jeanine says
Looks like a lot of fun! Would love to spend a weekend in Hamburg. Would for sure be an amazing adventure!
Miranda says
It sure was and thanks
Rhian Westbury says
Hamburg looks lovely and sounds like you had a really good time x
Miranda says
I sure did and thanks
Ana De- Jesus says
Sometimes it is our most aimless wanderings that take us places! I love the look of Hamburg and its nice that you went as a community.
Miranda says
Thanks Ana, it was lovely being with other youth members
Melanie Edjourian says
Wow it looks like you had an amazing weekend there I hope I get a chance to go sometime.
Miranda says
I did thanks and hope you do in the future
Pam says
It looks like a fun weekend. My family is originally from Germany so I have always thought it would be fun to visit there.
Miranda says
You should definitely visit it’s better than the pictures
Chrishelle says
What a beautiful city. I did not know there was so much water around the city. The night life looks pretty happening too.
Miranda says
Yea there is a lake which is huge enough
Hannah says
Sounds like you had a fab weekend, I can’t wait to go away soon x
Miranda says
I had the best time and hope you do too soon
Jessica Howliston says
It looks and sounds as if you had a lovely time, your pictures are fantastic! Its not somewhere I have ever been but it looks beautiful and a day on the river paddle boating sounds amazing! x
Miranda says
It truly was, I love paddle boating
Liz Mays says
What a nice time! The nightlife looks great out there. Getting out on the water must have been great too.
Miranda says
It was fun being on the water and the night life wasn’t too bad either
Marie Barber says
Looks like a beautiful place I love the buildings they look amazing.
Miranda says
It’s beautiful indeed
Sarah Bailey says
Oh wow what a lovely looking place – it looks like there is so much to do and see there – beautiful. x
Miranda says
There truly is and I didn’t even cover half
Rachel says
It definitely looks and sounds like you had a fantastic time, I have never been to Hamburg, but I do love the sound of the paddle boats x
Miranda says
It was so much fun especially the weather and paddle boating
StressedMum says
It sounds like an amazing trip, I have never been here before but I think I am adding it to my list of places to visit x
Miranda says
It was indeed
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says
This looks like it was such a fun trip! I’d love visit Hamburg! Paddle boating is so much fun!
Miranda says
Paddle boating is always fun and can’t wait to do more this summer
Tori Gabriel says
Looks like you had a great time. I have never visited Germany but I would love to. Even more after reading this!
Miranda says
It was such an amazing time
DannyUK.com says
Sounds like you had a lovely time – Was a weekend long enough?
Miranda says
It was too short lol
Angela at Daysinbed says
your adventures sound so fun. We have not been to Germany yet but it looks fabulous. GREAT PHOTOS TOO!
Miranda says
Thanks Angela and hope you’re able to go
Sarah says
Looks like a lovely time. What beautiful photos to capture the visit!
Miranda says
Thanks Sarah
Katrina | TOTSFamily.com says
I have never been to Germany but some of the architecture in your photos is amazing. I am not sure what I was expecting Germany to look like but it wasn’t like that.
Miranda says
Yea Germany has some great architecture
Mitch says
Those are some great pictures! I would love to be there right now! I miss my European traveling days before the kid was born!
Miranda says
Awww bless
Jeanette says
I have never been to Hamburg Germany. I have been to another part of Germany, but I need to go back and explore some more stuff.
Miranda says
Germany is such a beautiful country, I love it every time I go
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I am so jealous of all your travels. I still haven’t been to Germany, but it’s at the top of my list. I hadn’t really thought of Hamburg, but it looks lovely.
Miranda says
Awww thanks, I hadn’t thought much of Hamburg prior to going too but now I want to go back
Dean of Little Steps says
This looks like so much fun! I’d say yes too in a heartbeat if someone asks me if I wanted to go on a weekend trip abroad 😉 x
Miranda says
It truly was so much fun and yes I didn’t even blink to a trip abroad lol
kylie cre8tone says
Such a lovely place to travel to! How I wish I could go there too!
Miranda says
It sure is and I hope you make it to Hamburg one day
Rebecca Swenor says
It sounds like you had a wonderful time in Hamburg. I have never traveled with a youth group through our church nor did my sons. It would indeed be so much fun to visit Hamburg some day. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Miranda says
Thanks Rebecca, it was such a lovely experience and I can not wait to go back again soon
Eugenia says
Never been to Humburg, but it is in my list, as other thousands of places in Germany, Europe and in the world.
Miranda says
It’s an amazing place and I hope you get a chance to visit it